OK, many people are taking 76 steering columns and converting them to 69 to 75 columns. Many posts have been made about the process, and the parts needed.

Here are a couple of interesting items that I discovered today. I just received the remains of a 77 tilt / telescope column. I was hoping to get the small parts (horns parts, screws, etc.) that I needed to convert my 76 column to a 69-75 column. These parts are interchangable.

Here is the nice part. The steering hub (one of the difficult parts to locate) is the same for 69-75, and 77-80. It carries the same part number (3949110), and they are identical to each other. I have one from an early column, and got one with this 77 column.

Even better, the telescope locking ring (GM calls it a lever) is the same for 69-75 and 77-80. The part number for the 69-75 columns is 3949108. However, this part number was superceded by part number 459083, which is the locking ring for 77-80 columns. I have one of each of these as well, and the only difference is the part number cast into the back.

That means that these two parts can be taken off of 77-80 columns to help convert 76 columns (or replace damaged / missing parts) on a 69-75 column.

That leaves the extension, part number 3949109, as the "unique to 69-75 and difficult to find" part.

The small parts (horns parts, screws, etc.) and the horn button are available repro from numerous vendors.

 

I just started a new topic about a similar idea I am having. I am thinking of retro fitting a 77 column to mine. I was hoping that this column would look ok and not stick out too much.

Why did you shoot for the 76 and not the 77?

 

The 76 column itself is the same as the 69-75 columns in overall length. A 76 column is a bolt in replacement, but then you have to deal with that ugly 76 steering wheel.

77 and later columns, as I recall, are shorter in length. Don't know if they will bolt in and hook up electrically without mods.

Do a search of this site on tilt steering columns. Jim Shea has some great articles / posts on this subject.

 

Soooooo, what are you going to do with the extra conversion parts that you wont be using? If you are going to be selling them drop me a PM, i'm interested!
vic

 

Can you not change the 76 steering wheel over to your earlier one?

 

So it would seem that I should be looking for a 69-75 column. This way I don't have to deal with the 76 wheel.

I will look at Jims papers on tilt conversion. I had forgot about checking them.

 

I thought all you had to do to make a 76 column be a 69-75 was to add the 69-75, 77-82 steering wheel hub? GM steering wheels share the same taper forever.

 

Good information! Here is the link to my paper on installing a 1977-82 T&T steering column into a 1969-76 C3.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3Rev01FE05.doc
Good luck,
Jim

 

The 77 T&T column is shorter & ideal if tall. It has an unneeded (for 68-76) wiper switch built in (only year till C5)- I don't use it either, so not a big deal.